Severe Weather Awarness - Preparing for Bad Weather

The sirens are blowing - there's a low rumble in the distance - and the Stormtracker 18 Weather Team has just cut into regular programming with a tornado warning for your county.  Your first thought through your mind may be: "I should head to the basement."  But, against your training in elementary school, you grab the video camera, slide open the porch door, and capture video of violent winds, hail and a tornado. 

Many people have experienced scenarios similar to the one that I just wrote above.  But unfortunately, many die each year from severe weather related events.  Some people are just unlucky - no matter what precautions they took, the storm was just too strong.  However, most people didn't have adequate shelter or didn't follow the rules that were taught to them: go to the basement or find an interior room at the lowest level of your home.  It is really easy to get tied up in "the moment" of severe weather next to your home.  I've been there, and have what a lot of people called "cheated death" twice.  And, after the adrenaline stops flowing and you get back in your normal mindset, you realize how lucky you actually were to still be standing - alive.

My main point of all this writing is this:  From my experience, I don't think a single person should be put in that kind of a position, regardless of their knowledge of thunderstorms and severe weather.  So, what should you do to remain safe during a severe weather event?  Let's start off first with a Severe Thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm is a powerful thunderstorm in which wind speeds are greater than 58 mph or hail is larger than 3/4" in diameter.  The main thing you want to remember during a severe thunderstorm is stay away from windows.  Debris picked up by the wind or hail could cause the window to break, and that flying glass could injure you.  Also, stay off any wired electronics such as the computer or telephone, and keep out of water.  Lightning can travel instantly through these things and into your body, possibly causing serious damage or death.  But what about a tornado?

A Tornado Warning is issued of the National Weather Service either detects rotation in a thunderstorm with radar, or a certified spotter calls in an actual report of tornadic characteristics. (i.e. funnel cloud, rotating wall cloud, tornado on the ground)  If you learn a tornado warning has been issued for your area, it is advised that you immediately go to your basement or an interior room at the lowest level of your home.  Basically, you don't want a room with windows in it.  When you get there, cover yourself with a mattress or heavy blanket, or get underneath a piece of heavy furniture, such as a table.  This will help protect you from flying debris.  If your out in your car, pull over and lie in a low ditch.  The main thing you want to remember about a tornado when outside is this:  It's not the wind that will hurt you, it's the debris.  By lying down in a ditch, you minimize your body exposure to flying debris, and you are more likely to survive.

Remembering these simple steps can save your life.  But, you can help out others and the National Weather Service if you are interested.  Become a SkyWarn Weather Spotter!  All you have to do is attend one of their meetings around the area.  For Eau Claire, that meeting is April 22, 2008 at CVTC.  For more information, go to www.crh.noaa.gov/mpx and click on "2008 SkyWarn Weather Schedule".   It would be nice to have another pair of eyes watching the skies.  Your one call could cause a warning to be issued, saving hundreds of lives.  Plus, I know I have a degree in Meteorology, but it is always fun to learn more, meet new people and share experiences about weather!  Thank you for reading, and feel free to share your stories or input!

Meteorologist Nick Grunseth